Patent application title: EMERGENCY PROVISION WHEN USING A LARGE DISPLAY

Abstract:

The present embodiments relates to a large display for the representation
of medical images. The large display comprises at least a first and a
second zone which can be controlled and operated independently of each
other. Furthermore, an image configuration is provided which describes
the representation on the large display during normal operation. Also
provided is an emergency image configuration which describes the
representation in the second zone of the large display in the event of
failure or fault of the representation in the first zone. In the event of
a fault provision is made for switching over to an emergency operating
mode in which the representation in the second zone is determined by the
emergency configuration. The present embodiments have the advantage of
providing protection against a failure of the large display, which
failure would disrupt medical operation.

Claims:

1. A display for a representation of medical images, the display
comprising:at least a first zone and a second zone which can be
controlled and operated independently of each other,an image
configuration that describes the representation on the display during
normal operation,an emergency image configuration that describes the
representation in the second zone of the large display in the event of a
failure or fault of the representation in the first zone, anda provision
is made for switching over to an emergency operating mode in which the
representation in the second zone is determined by the emergency
configuration.

2. The display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emergency configuration
is specified for each separately controllable and operable zone of the
display.

3. The display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first zone covers a
first half of the display, and the second zone covers a second half of
the display.

4. The display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the emergency configuration
provides for an output in the second zone of elements which are output in
the first zone during normal operation.

5. A medical display system comprising:a display,an adapting apparatus
that generates an overall image in accordance with an image configuration
for representation on the display,wherein the adapting apparatus is
operable to transfer the overall image for representation on the display,
and has access to an emergency image configuration and generates the
image in accordance with the emergency configuration following a
switchover to an emergency operating mode.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an input unit that
switches over to an emergency operating mode.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the input unit is operable to
allow the specification of image configurations and emergency image
configurations.

8. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the system comprises an input
device that is operable to allow for a manual switchover to an emergency
operating mode.

9. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the system is operable to
allow for an automatic switchover to an emergency operating mode.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the system is operable to
automatically detect a fault in a zone of the large display, wherein a
fault is detected as a result of a verification message which is sent
from the adapting apparatus to the large display, or a fault is detected
due to the absence of status reports which are regularly sent from the
large display to the adapting apparatus.

Description:

[0002]The present embodiments relate to a large display for the
representation of medical images and to a medical display system.

[0003]In the context of medical examinations in hospitals, a plurality of
representations or images are used to register the body part under
examination. A plurality of different perspectives can be represented,
for example, by a medical imaging method. Various imaging methods or
modalities (e.g. X-ray, computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic
resonance tomography, video, scattering of laser beams, etc.) are also
combined to obtain as much information as possible concerning medical
conditions in a patient. A plurality of displayed images are used when
images that are recorded under different conditions (e.g. before and
after administration of contrast agents) are superimposed. The plurality
of displayed images are used to obtain a representation having maximum
contrast (difference method).

[0004]During a medical examination, different medical images are
represented on individual dedicated image playback devices. Accordingly,
a separate image playback device is required for each video (graphics
card) output interface of a medical imaging system. For example, in X-ray
system examination workstations, eight or even more image playback
devices are currently required in the examination room, including color
displays for electrocardiogram (ECG) and ultrasound.

[0005]A solution including a multiplicity of displays is confusing,
inflexible, and not easily scalable. The publication "New Display
Solutions for the Image-Centric Era of Healthcare" by S. Bonfiglio and L.
Albani in SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers--May 2007 --Volume 38,
Issue 1, pp. 123-126 discloses a plurality of medical images being
represented on a large display in order to get by with one display per
examination workstation. The publication describes an input device by
which images that must be output on a large display can be selected from
a multiplicity of possible medical images. The input device (tablet PC)
has a visual output that includes a first zone including selectable
images and a second zone showing the images that are represented on the
large display. By moving an image from the first zone into the second
zone, the image is selected and its representation on the large display
is changed.

[0006]The use of a large display has greater risks in the event of a
failure. In the case of representation on separate monitors, the
simultaneous failure of a plurality of monitors due to a defect is very
improbable, and therefore the majority of the images usually remain
available. Specifically in the case of medical interventions it is of
primary importance that faults do not cause the intervention to be
interrupted or even abandoned. The use of a large display is critical
insofar as the failure of the now sole display would mean that there are
no longer any images available which enable the examination or treatment
to be continued.

SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION

[0007]The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the drawbacks
inherent in the related art. For example, in one embodiment, a large
display may be used to protect against faults in the context of medical
applications.

[0008]In one embodiment, a large display is provided to represent medical
images. The display includes at least two zones that can be controlled
and operated independently of each other. A fault relating to one zone
does not affect the other zone. The inputs and power supplies or
electronic parts of the two zones are implemented separately or
redundantly.

[0009]The large display or large screen may be an image playback device, a
display, a monitor, or a visual output which, with respect to its
technical properties (e.g., resolution, luminosity and dimensions),
allows the simultaneous output of at least two images or image streams of
sufficient size and quality for diagnostic or therapeutic applications in
hospitals. The large display may be, for example, a monitor having a
resolution of 4 megapixels to more than 8 megapixels and a screen size of
30''to 64''. The monitor may be suitable for use as a large display in a
hospital.

[0010]An image configuration, which describes the representation on the
large display, may be used during normal operation. According to this
representation, an overall image includes image elements (e.g.,
individual images and information to be represented) during normal
operation. An emergency image configuration may describe the
representation in one zone of the large display in the event of a failure
or fault relating to the representation in the other zone. The emergency
configuration may include elements that are represented in the failed
zone during normal operation. Provision is made for switching over to an
emergency operating mode in which the representation in the second zone
is determined by the emergency configuration.

[0011]The switching over can be done manually using an input unit.
Alternatively, an automatic switchover may be used. Automatic switchover
may include sending verification messages to the large display or to
various mutually independent parts of the large display. Alternatively,
independent parts of the large display regularly send status reports to a
verification unit. The absence of status reports may trigger the
switchover.

[0012]In one embodiment, the orderly execution of medical examinations and
treatments are protected against failures and faults. An emergency
configuration may be defined for each separately controllable (e.g. via
separate cable connections) and operable zone of the large display. An
emergency image configuration, which represents the image information
that is required for the examination or treatment, may be specified in an
area that is reduced in size (e.g., due to the failure). Accordingly, in
the event of a fault, the physician may continue working immediately
after switching over to the emergency image configuration.

[0013]The large display may be an element of a medical display system. The
medical display system may include an adapting apparatus for composing an
overall image in accordance with an image configuration for the
representation on the large display. The adapting apparatus may represent
(e.g., display or illustrate) the overall image on the large display. The
adapting apparatus may have access to an emergency image configuration
and may compose the image in accordance with the emergency configuration
following a switchover to emergency operating mode. The display system
may include an input unit via which a switchover to emergency operating
mode can be effected. In one embodiment, the input unit allows the
specification of image configurations and emergency image configurations.

[0019]FIG. 1 shows an image configuration in which six images (e.g., Live
Sub A, Live Sub B, Live Nat Ref A, Live Nat Ref B, Ref 2 A, and Ref 2 B)
are represented (displayed) on the large display. The images Live Sub A
and Live Sub B are subtraction images. The images Live Nat Ref A and Live
Nat Ref B are unprocessed recordings. The images Ref 2 A and Ref 2 B are
reference images.

[0020]The combination of images shown in FIG. 1 may be used in an
angiography examination, for example. In an angiography examination,
vessels are examined by X-ray recordings. Accordingly, a radioactive
contrast agent is introduced into the vessels and an X-ray recording is
made. A good contrast can be obtained by eliminating the background of
the recording by an X-ray recording taken before the contrast agent is
used such that only the vessels can still be seen (e.g., a difference
image). This therefore requires a recording before administration of the
contrast agent (e.g., Ref 2 A and Ref 2 B), on which recording is
superimposed on the recording after administration of the contrast agent
(e.g., Live Nat Ref A and Live Nat Ref B) for the purpose of eliminating
the background, in order to generate a difference recording (e.g., Live
Sub A and Live Sub B) in which essentially only the vessels are
represented.

[0021]The image configuration may include a strip at the bottom edge of
the large display. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data and system control
information may be shown in the strip at the bottom edge. The image
configuration shown in FIG. 2 differs in that the two images on the
right-hand side of FIG. 1 have been moved into the center and
system-related information (e.g., Syngo Workplace) and ECG data are
included or output instead.

[0022]FIG. 3 shows a representation of an image configuration on a large
display. On the left-hand side are four images which show angiographic
recordings of vessels. Information that is relevant for the workflow, for
example, ECG curves, is output on the right-hand side. The large display
includes two halves, an upper half and a lower half, which can be
controlled and operated separately. If one of the two halves fails, an
emergency image can be represented on the other half by an emergency
configuration. This takes place, for example, by an input interface as
shown in FIG. 4.

[0023]FIG. 4 shows an interface of an input system or operator console. A
selection on the operator console may be used to select an image
configuration. In FIG. 4, four image configurations are shown, the
selected configuration being highlighted. The treating physician may
select one of the image configurations, for example, by clicking or
keying, which is then visually accentuated. An emergency configuration is
also displayed. During normal operation the visual output serves to
provide information for the operator, such as the treating physician. In
the event of a failure, which adversely affects the output capability,
the image configuration may be switched over to the emergency
configuration, for example, manually.

[0024]FIG. 5 shows a system for representing image configurations on a
large display 5. Image configurations for visual output on a large
display 5 may be selected via an operator console 1, which is connected
via a software control interface 2, to a medical system 3 and a graphics
controller 4. The operator console 1 is used for operating or controlling
the medical system 3. The medical system 3, is for example, an
angiography facility by which angiography images are generated. The
images are transferred to the graphics controller 4. In this case a
plurality of inputs are provided in order that a plurality of images for
visual output (e.g. reference images and difference images) can be
transferred separately from the angiography facility to the graphics
controller 4.

[0025]An image configuration is selected via the input device, such as the
operator console 1. The image configuration is transferred to the
graphics controller 4. The graphics controller 4 includes inputs to
external video sources, for example, ECG, endoscopy, or ultrasound. The
external video sources may be referenced by the image configuration, for
example, for representation on the large display 5. The graphics
controller 4 represents an adapting apparatus that composes (generates)
an image in accordance with the selected image configuration and possibly
other control information, and transfers a corresponding image signal to
the large display 5.

[0026]In order to ensure that the total failure of a large display 5 used
in medical technology applications does not restrict clinical operation,
the system shown in FIG. 5 includes provision for an emergency operating
mode.

[0027]For this purpose the large display 5 includes two halves, which are
independent of each other and can be controlled separately. The large
display 5 may include redundant power supplies for the electronics of the
respective image halves and for the background illumination (backlight),
such that if one power supply fails, the other continues to function in
each case. If a power supply fails, a warning message is output on the
display in order that service measures may be initiated.

[0028]If a power supply, the image backlight, or an image-half control
unit fails, the large display 5 continues to represent half of the image.
It is then possible to switch over to an emergency configuration by the
operator console (FIG. 4 shows an interface of the operator console). The
switchover is effected (e.g., triggered) by a selection. The emergency
configuration may be defined (e.g. when the medical system 3 from FIG. 5
is installed) as follows: The user or the system configuration specifies
which individual images are to be output in the event of a failure of one
image half (emergency images: usually selected to allow continuation of
the medical treatment procedure). If the left-hand image half fails, for
example, the emergency images can be moved to the still functioning
right-hand image half by selecting "Emergency configuration right" on the
operator console (and vice versa).

[0029]While the invention has been described above by reference to various
embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications
can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, although the embodiments were discussed in conjunction with a
particle therapy system, the same problems and solutions arise in photon
therapy as well. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed
description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it
be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents,
that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.